Around Town3/19/09

Roy chooses treasurer

Selectboard member Chris Roy has picked the mayor of Barre to serve as treasurer of a committee he has formed to explore a candidacy for Vermont Secretary of State.

Thomas Lauzon was tapped for the post last week in Roy’s exploratory committee. Roy also filed the bank designation form needed to formalize the creation of the committee.

Roy, who grew up in Barre, said he has known Lauzon for years. Lauzon has held the position since 2006.

Roy, a Republican, is considering a run for the post currently held by Deb Markowitz, a Democrat whose term expires in 2010. Markowitz is mulling a bid for governor.

Others besides Roy have expressed interest in the post. Charles Merriman, a Middlesex lawyer and a Democrat, told the Burlington Free Press last week that he will run for Secretary of State. Former state Sen. Jim Condos, also a Democrat, is also rumored to be interested in the office.

Roy was elected to a two-year term on the Selectboard in 2008. His term ends in March 2010, eight months before the statewide election. He has said he would likely run for re-election to the Selectboard, then decide whether to stay on if he becomes secretary of state.

Transportation workshops slated

Regional planners are giving citizens a chance to help shape the future of transportation in western Vermont.

The Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission will hold a trio of workshops to solicit input on the Western Corridor Transportation Management Plan.

The first session, on livable communities, will be held Tuesday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A discussion of economic development and freight transportation will be held on Monday, March 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. And a local government workshop will be held Tuesday, March 31, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Each workshop takes place at the CCMPO/CCRPC offices, 30 Kimball Ave. in South Burlington. To attend, RSVP to Leslie Bonnette at 846-4490 x21 or e-mail lbonnette@ccrpcvt.org.